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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "sterlingiinvestmentbank@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Sterlinginvestmentbank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sterlingiinvestmentbank@ymail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:19:08 -0500
Subject: IMPORTANT INFORMATION
>From the Desk of: Mr. David Brown
Director of Finance
E-mail:. sterlingiinvestmentbank@ymail.com
Sterling Investment Global Bank
Scotland.
Dear /Madam
NOTIFICATION OF CREDIT OF LAST QUARTER
On behalf of the entire Staff of Sterling Investment Global Bank following the
protest of the International Communities such as, the World Bank, IMF and PARIS
CLUB. We apologies for the delay of your Contract Payment and all the
Inconveniences you encountered while pursuing this payment.
However we have received a payment credit instruction to credit your account
with your full contract/Inheritance funds which is the sum of $10.500.0000.00 Ten Million
Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
This is to notify you that these funds have been programmed for immediate release
into your nominated account but we cannot transfer this fund direct to your
nominated bank account, because we are having a little problem with
International Monetary Fund (IMF)hence, the method payment is through online banking.
Be informing that every arrangement regarding this payment through online
banking has been made; note that you are to set up an online account with this bank..
Note that as soon as the online account is been set up you will have to pay for
the activation of the account before your fund will be move into the new online
account and or to make an international online transfer of funds.
You will have re-confirm your full information which will be use to set up the
online account on your name here with the Sterling Investment Global Bank, Scotland.
Your Full Name:
Your Complete Address:
Direct Telephone Number/ home phone
Mobile Number:
Present Occupation:/Age
Are You A Property Owner?
Scan copy of your personal passport / international passport
NOTE: RESPONSE SHOULD BE MADE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IT WILL BE TOO LATE;
Mr. David Brown
Director of Finance
Sterling Investment Global Bank,
Scotland.
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